Fishing rod organizer and carrier

ABSTRACT

A fishing rod holder includes a retainer box having front, rear, upper and lower portions defined by a frame comprised of a plurality of upright frame members, wherein the plurality of upright frame members includes front upright frame members and rear upright frame members. The rear upright frame members include support portions for abuttingly supporting the retainer box in a raised position above a support surface. A planar member on the lower portion of the retainer box and includes a plurality of receiving apertures configured to receive a first portion of a fishing rod therethrough. First and second brackets are disposed on opposite sides of the retainer box having inwardly opening channels disposed therealong. Multiple divider members are slidingly received in the channels of the first and second brackets for movement therealong, wherein adjacent divider members are configured to retain a second portion of the fishing rod therebetween.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/399,581 filed onSep. 26, 2016, entitled, FISHING ROD ORGANIZER AND CARRIER, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a fishing rod holder, andmore particularly, to a fishing rod holder configured to store and carrymultiple fishing rods in retained positions in either a vertical orhorizontal manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For different types of fishing, having multiple fishing rods setup withvarious types of rigs provides a convenient way for a fisherman toquickly switch gear during a fishing excursion. The multiple fishingrods can be setup with different gear that is particularly configuredfor specific target fish or specific fishing environments. When usingmultiple fishing rods, it is important that unused fishing rods areproperly stored and do not become tangled or damaged while stored or intransit. Further, it is important to provide a convenient means oftransporting and storing the fishing rods during an actual fishingexcursion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a fishing rod holder with aretainer box having front and rear portions, wherein the front and rearportions each include one or more upright frame members. The uprightframe members of the rear portion include support portions forabuttingly supporting the retainer box in a raised position on a supportsurface. A planar member is disposed on the lower portion of theretainer box and includes a plurality of receiving apertures disposedtherethrough. Each receiving aperture is configured to receive a portionof a fishing rod therethrough. First and second bracket membersinterconnect the upright frame members of the front and rear portionsthe retainer box. The first and second bracket members includerespective first and second channels disposed therealong. A plurality ofdivider members are slidingly received in the first and second channelsof the first and second bracket members for movement along a lengththereof, wherein adjacent divider members are configured to retain aportion of a fishing rod therebetween.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a fishing rod holderconfigured to be supported on a support surface and hold a number offishing rods, wherein each fishing rod includes a shaft portion having adistal tip and a distal end, a reel assembly, and a handle portion. Thefishing rod holder includes first and second bracket membersspaced-apart from one another to define a receiving area therebetween.The first and second bracket members include respective first and secondchannels inwardly opening into the receiving area. First and secondframe members are coupled to the first and second bracket members andeach include a first portion and a second portion. The second portionextends outwardly from the first portion. The fishing rod holder issupported on the support surface at the first portions of the first andsecond frame members in a first configuration, and is supported on thesupport surface at the second portions of the first and second framemembers in a second configuration. A plurality of divider are slideablyand removeably received in the first and second channels of the firstand second bracket members, respectively.

Yet, another aspect of the present invention includes a fishing rodholder configured to be supported on a support surface and hold a numberof fishing rods. The fishing rod holder includes first and secondbracket members spaced-apart from one another to define a receiving areatherebetween. The first and second bracket members include respectivefirst and second channels inwardly opening into the receiving area. Anabutment plate includes a plurality of receiving apertures disposedtherethrough. First and second frame members are coupled to the firstand second bracket members, respectively, and the abutment plate. Theabutment plate is spaced-apart from the first and second bracket membersin assembly. A plurality of divider members include body portions withopposing first and second ends and front and rear edges. The first andsecond ends of each divider member are slideably and removeably receivedin the first and second channels of the first and second bracketmembers. Adjacent divider members define rows for retaining the fishingrods therein.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentinvention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a fishing rod holder in a verticalorientation according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top side perspective view of the fishing rod holder of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the fishing rod holder of FIG. 1 ina horizontal configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the fishing rod holder of FIG. 1having a retainer box in an open condition providing access to a firstrow of fishing rods;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the fishing rod holder of FIG. 4showing relative motion of a divider member of the retainer box;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the fishing rod holder of FIG. 5with a divider member removed from the retainer box to provide access toa second row of fishing rods; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the fishing rod holder of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Thus,directional terms used to describe features of the present invention ina vertical position in FIG. 1 will also be used to describe the samefeatures of the present invention in a horizontal position as shown inFIG. 3. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 generally designates afishing rod holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.The fishing rod holder 10 includes a retainer box 12 and is shownsupported in a vertical condition V by a base portion 14. The retainerbox 12 is shown in FIG. 1 in a closed condition C supporting multiplerows 16A-16C of fishing rods 18 in a receiving area 15. The retainer box12 includes a frame assembly 20 having a plurality of upright members 22which interconnect upper and lower portions 24, 27 of the retainer box12. In FIG. 1, the upper portion 24 is shown having first and secondbracket members 26A, 26B which are interconnected by front and rearupright members 22A, 22B disposed on opposite sides 30, 32 of theretainer box 12, as further described below. The first and secondbracket members 26A, 26B each include inwardly opening channels 28 whichare configured to slidingly receive divider members 34A-34D within thereceiving area 15. Sliding movement of the divider members 34A-34D alongthe channels 28 of the first and second bracket members 26A, 26B isfurther described below. The frame assembly 20 of the retainer box 12further includes a front portion 38 and a rear portion 40. The frontportion 38 includes a stringer 42 coupled between the front uprightframe members 22A having a handle 44 disposed thereon. The lower portion27 of the frame 20 includes a planar member 36 having a plurality ofreceiving apertures 46 disposed therethrough for receiving handleportions 18A of the fishing rods 18. The planar member 36 defines anabutment plate for the fishing rods 18, as further described below. Itis contemplated that all of the structural components of the fishing rodholder 10 disclosed herein may be comprised of a metal, wood, composite,polymeric, or other rigid material and are not intended to be limited toany particular material.

Each fishing rod 18 shown in FIG. 1 includes a handle portion 18A, areel portion 18B, a shaft portion 18C, a distal end 18D (FIG. 2) and adistal tip 18E (FIG. 3). The reel portion 18B includes reels R (FIG. 2)that are mounted to the fishing rods 18 and are contained within theframe 20 of the retainer box 12 at the receiving area 15. In this way,the reels R are less susceptible to damage during transit due to theircontainment within the receiving area 15 of the retainer box 12.Segments of the shaft portions 18C of the rods 18 are configured to besecured between adjacent divider members 34A-34D within the receivingarea 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three rows 16A-16C offishing rods 18 are shown having three fishing rods 18 disposed in eachrow 16A-16C. However, it is contemplated that more or less dividermembers can be used in the formation of the upper portion 24 of theretainer box 12 to safely secure and retain more or less fishing rodswithin the fishing rod holder 10.

As further shown in FIG. 1, first and second retaining straps 50 areused to retain the retainer box 12 in the closed condition C. Theretaining straps 50 are configured to be secured to the first dividermember 34A at upper and lower surfaces thereof at first and second ends52, 54 (end 54 is not identified, but contemplated to be a hook end likeend 52). Further, the retaining straps 50 include body portions 53disposed between the first and second ends 52, 54, which may be elasticportions which extend around the remaining divider members 34B-34D wrapto retain the divider members 34B-34D in a contained and engagedrelationship with the shaft portions 18C of the fishing rods 18 and thechannels 28 of the first and second bracket members 26A, 26B. It isfurther contemplated that the retaining straps 50 can be attached toother locations on the retainer box 12 and frame 20 to properly securethe divider members 34A-34D for holding the fishing rods 18 in such amanner that the fishing rods 18 do not move once secured in thereceiving area 15 of the retainer box 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the fishing rod holder 10 is again shown in avertical configuration V with the retainer box 12 in a closed conditionC to retain nine fishing rods 18 therein. The frame 20 of the retainerbox 12 is shown having front upright members 22A and rear uprightmembers 22B. The rear upright members 22B include upright portions 23Aand outwardly extending support portions 23B that extend below theretainer box 12 approximately 90° from the upright portions 23A. Whenthe fishing rod holder 10 is in the vertical configuration V, thefishing rod holder 10 is supported by the outwardly extending supportportions 23B of the rear upright members 22B. The upright portion 23A ofthe rear upright member 22B is configured to provide a distance D1between the planar member 36 and a support surface S on which theoutwardly extending support portions 23B are supported. In this way, thedistal ends 18D of the handle portions 18A of the fishing rods 18 do notcontact the support surface S when the fishing rod holder 10 is in thevertical configuration V. Thus, the distal ends 18D of the fishing rods18 are suspended above the support surface S on which the fishing rodholder 10 is supported a distance D2 when the fishing rod holder 10 isin the vertical configuration V. In this way, the distal ends 18D of thefishing rods 18 are not damaged during movement and storage of thefishing rods 18 using the fishing rod holder 10, because the retainerbox 12 is supported in a raised configuration over the support surfaceS. Further, the reels R of the fishing rods 18 abut an upper surface 36Aof the planar member 36, such that the fishing rods 18 do not movefurther downward through the receiving apertures 46 disposed through theplanar member 36 when the fishing rod holder 10 is in the verticalconfiguration V. Thus, the receiving apertures 46 disposed through theplanar member 36 are configured to retain a first portion (the handleportion 18A) of the fishing rods 18, without letting the distal ends 18Dof the fishing rods 18 contact the support surface S.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the fishing rod holder 10 is shown in ahorizontal configuration H, wherein the fishing rod holder 10 issupported on the support surface S by the abutment of the uprightportions 23A of the rear upright members 22B. In FIG. 3, the rearupright members 22B are shown having rounded joint portions 23C disposedbetween the upright portion 23A and the outwardly extending supportportion 23B. In this way, the fishing rod holder 10 can be rotated orrolled from the vertical configuration V (FIG. 2) towards the horizontalconfiguration H (FIG. 3) along the rounded joint portions 23C of therear upright members 22B along the path as indicated by arrow 25 (FIG.2). In the horizontal configuration H, the fishing rod holder 10provides for a sturdy engagement of the fishing rod holder 10 with thesupport surface S for transporting the fishing rods 18 between locationsin either a vehicle or on a boat. When floor space is limited, thefishing rod holder 10 can be rotated to the upright verticalconfiguration V (FIG. 2) for more prolonged storage. When the fishingrod holder 10 is in the horizontal configuration H, the fishing rodholder 10 can be carried using the handle 44 disposed on the stringer 42located on the front portion 38 of the retainer box 12. As further shownin FIG. 3, the handle portions 18A of the fishing rods 18 are supportedabove the support surface S a distance D3 (at least). The distal tips18E of the fishing rods 18 are also spaced apart from the supportsurface S.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the fishing rod holder 10 is shown in thevertical configuration V and the divider member 34D has been removedfrom the channels 28 of the first and second brackets 26 of the upperportion 24 of the retainer box 12. In order to remove the divider member34D from the channels 28 of the first and second bracket members 26A,26B, the ends 52, 54 of the retaining straps 50 are unhooked fromattachment locations 54 disposed on divider member 34A. Hooks 52 of theretaining straps 50 are used to attach to attachment locations 54 whenthe retainer box 12 is in the closed position C as shown in FIGS. 1-3.As noted above, body portions 53 of the retaining straps 50 wrap aroundbody portions 64 (FIG. 5) of the divider members 34A-34D to retain thefishing rods 18 in the retainer box 12. With divider member 34D removedfrom the retainer box 12, the first row 16A of fishing rods 18 can beremoved from the retainer box 12. Divider member 34D may be consideredan end divider member having first and second opposed ends 60, 62 whichare configured to be slidingly received in the channels 28 of thebrackets 26. The end divider member 34D further includes a body portion64 having a flexibly resilient cushion layer 66 disposed on an inneredge thereof. The flexibly resilient cushion layer 66 is configured tocontact the fishing rods 18 along the shaft portion 18C thereof toprovide a cushioning between end divider member 34D and adjacent dividermember 34C. In this way, the divider members 34A-34D are configured toapply pressure to the fishing rods 18 at the shaft portions 18C thereofto retain the fishing rods 18 in place without scratching or damagingthe shaft portions 18C. Further, the flexibly resilient cushion layer 66of the end divider member 34D provides a soft cushion for a fishing lineshould a fishing line get pinched between adjacent divider members34A-34D. Thus, adjacent divider members 34A-34D are configured to retaina second portion (the shaft portion 18C) of the fishing rods 18, whilethe handle portions 18A are retained in the planar member 36. With theend divider member 34D removed from the retainer box 12 (as shown inFIG. 4), the first row 16A of fishing rods 18 can be removed from theretainer box, as further shown in FIG. 5. The flexibly resilient cushionlayers 66, 66A and 66B disclosed herein may be foam strips adhered tothe front and rear edges of the divider members 34A-34D.

Referring now to FIG. 5, divider member 34C is shown being removed fromthe retainer box 12 in a direction as indicated by arrow 68 by slidingalong the channels 28 of the first and second bracket members 26A, 26B.Divider member 34C is allowed to move in the direction as indicated byarrow 68 due to the first row 16A of fishing rods 18 (FIG. 4) havingbeen removed from the retainer box 12. Divider member 34C, much likedivider member 34D, includes a body portion 64 having opposite ends 60,62 which are configured to be received in the channels 28 of the firstand second bracket members 26A, 26B of the retainer box 12. First andsecond flexibly resilient cushion layers 66A, 66B are shown disposed onopposite sides of the body portion 64 of the divider member 34C. In use,cushion layer 66B is used in conjunction with cushion layer 66 ofdivider member 34D to provide a surrounding cushion material for thefishing rods 18 of the first row 16A of fishing rods, as shown inFIG. 1. Cushion layer 66A works in conjunction with a cushion layer 66Bof divider member 34B for providing a cushioning surround for thefishing rods 18 of the second row 16B of fishing rods.

Referring now to FIG. 6, divider member 34C has been removed from theretainer box 12, such that the second row 16B of fishing rods 18 can beremoved from the retainer box 12. In FIG. 6, divider member 34C includesbody portion 64 having opposite ends 60, 62 which are configured to bereceived in the channels 28 of the brackets 26 of the retainer box 12.The divider member 34C also includes front and rear edges 65A, 65B ofthe body portion 64. The first and second flexibly resilient cushionlayers 66A, 66B are coupled to the front and rear edges 65A, 65B of thedivider member 34C and may include inset portions 67 configured toreceive the shaft portions 18C of the fishing rods 18 of the second row16B of fishing rods. The description of divider member 34C is alsoaccurate for divider member 34B which are both inner divider membersflanked by the end divider members 34A, 34D. The inset portions 67 canalign between adjacent divider members to provide a cradling effect forthe fishing rods 18 within the rows 16A-16C.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the second row 16B of fishing rods 18 (FIG. 6)has been removed from the retainer box 12, such that divider member 34Bis now free to move along the channels 28 of the first and secondbracket members 26A, 26B in the direction as indicated by arrow 68. Withthe divider member 34B moved in the path as indicated by arrow 68 inFIG. 7, the first row 16A of fishing rods 18 can be removed from theretainer box 12. Much like divider member 34C, divider member 34B alsoincludes a body portion 64 having opposite ends 60, 62 which are showndisposed within the channels 28 of the first and second bracket members26A, 26B of the retainer box 12. First and second cushion layers 66A,66B are shown disposed on opposite sides of the body portion 64, whereincushion layer 66B of divider member 34B is shown disposed on an inneredge of divider member 34A and is used in conjunction with cushion layer66A of divider member 34C to retain the second row 16B of fishing rods18 as shown in FIG. 1. Cushion layer 66A of divider member 34C works inconjunction with cushion layer 66B of divider member 34A to provide acushioned retaining of the fishing rods 18 in the first row 16A offishing rods 18. It is contemplated that divider member 34A may be afixed divider member relative to the retainer box 12, or may also movewithin the channels 28 of the first and second bracket members 26A, 26Bin which opposite ends 60, 62 of divider member 34A are disposed.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described invention and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fishing rod holder, comprising: aretainer box having front and rear portions, wherein the front and rearportions each include one or more upright frame members, wherein theupright frame members of the rear portion include outwardly extendingsupport portions disposed under the retainer box for abuttinglysupporting the retainer box in a raised position on a support surface; aplanar member disposed on a lower portion of the retainer box, theplanar member including a plurality of receiving apertures disposedtherethrough, wherein each receiving aperture is configured to receive aportion of a fishing rod therethrough; first and second bracket membersinterconnecting the upright frame members of the front and rear portionsof the retainer box, wherein each of the first and second bracketmembers includes respective first and second channels disposedtherealong; and a plurality of divider members having body portions withfirst and second ends and front and rear edges, wherein the first andsecond ends are slidingly received in the first and second channels ofthe first and second bracket members for movement along a lengththereof, and further wherein adjacent divider members abut one anotherdirectly above the receiving apertures of the planar member alongrespective front and rear edges thereof when received in the first andsecond channels of the first and second bracket members.
 2. The fishingrod holder of claim 1, wherein one or more of the front and rear edgesof each divider member includes a flexibly resilient cushion layerdisposed thereon.
 3. The fishing rod holder of claim 2, wherein theflexibly resilient cushion layer includes one or more inset portions. 4.The fishing rod holder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dividermembers includes first and second end divider members having one or moreinner divider members disposed therebetween.
 5. The fishing rod holderof claim 1, including: one or more retaining straps, wherein each of theone or more retaining straps includes first and second ends releasablycoupled to the retainer box.
 6. The fishing rod holder of claim 5,wherein each of the one or more retaining straps includes a body portiondisposed between the first and second ends thereof, and further whereinthe body portions are wrapped around the body portions of the dividermembers of the plurality of divider members to retain the same.
 7. Afishing rod holder configured to be supported on a support surface andhold a number of fishing rods, wherein each fishing rod includes a shaftportion having a distal tip and a distal end, a reel assembly, and ahandle portion, the fishing rod holder comprising: first and secondbracket members spaced-apart from one another to define a receiving areatherebetween, wherein the first and second bracket members includerespective first and second channels inwardly opening into the receivingarea; first and second frame members coupled to the first and secondbracket members respectively, wherein each of the first and second framemembers includes a first portion and a second portion extendingoutwardly from the first portion, wherein fishing rod holder issupported on the support surface at the first portions of the first andsecond frame members in a first configuration, and further wherein thefishing rod holder is supported on the support surface at the secondportions of the first and second frame members in a secondconfiguration; and a plurality of divider members having body portionswith opposing first and second ends and front and rear edges, whereinthe first and second ends of each divider member are slideably andremoveably received in the first and second channels of the first andsecond bracket members, respectively, and further wherein adjacentdivider members abut one another along flexibly resilient cushion layersdisposed on one of the front and rear edges of the divider members. 8.The fishing rod holder of claim 7, wherein the first and second framemembers each included rounded joint portions disposed between the firstand second portions thereof.
 9. The fishing rod holder of claim 7,wherein both the front and rear edges of each divider member of theplurality of divider members include flexibly resilient cushion layers.10. The fishing rod holder of claim 7, wherein the number of fishingrods are disposed between adjacent divider members in an uprightposition when the fishing rod holder is supported on the first portionsof the first and second frame members in the first configuration. 11.The fishing rod holder of claim 10, wherein the distal ends of thenumber of fishing rods are spaced-apart from the support surface in thefirst configuration.
 12. The fishing rod holder of claim 10, wherein thenumber of fishing rods are disposed between adjacent divider members ina substantially horizontal position when the fishing rod holder issupported on the second portions of the first and second frame membersin the second configuration.
 13. A fishing rod holder configured to besupported on a support surface and hold a number of fishing rods, thefishing rod holder comprising: first and second bracket membersspaced-apart from one another to define a receiving area therebetween,wherein the first and second bracket members include respective firstand second channels inwardly opening into the receiving area; anabutment plate having a plurality of receiving apertures disposedtherethrough; first and second frame members coupled to the first andsecond bracket members respectively and the abutment plate, wherein theabutment plate is spaced-apart from the first and second bracketmembers; and a plurality of divider members having body portions withopposing first and second ends and front and rear edges, wherein thefirst and second ends of each divider member are slideably andremoveably received in the first and second channels of the first andsecond bracket members, and further wherein adjacent divider membersdefine rows for retaining the fishing rods therebetween along abuttingflexibly resilient cushion layers disposed on the front and rear edgesof each divider member as received in the in the first and secondchannels of the first and second bracket members.
 14. The fishing rodholder of claim 13, wherein the flexibly resilient cushion layers eachinclude one or more inset portions.
 15. The fishing rod holder of claim13, including: one or more retaining straps, wherein each of the one ormore retaining straps includes a body portion releasably wrapped aroundthe body portions of the plurality of divider members.
 16. The fishingrod holder of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second framemembers includes an upright portion and a support portion extendingoutwardly from the upright portion, wherein the fishing rod holder issupported on a support surface at the support portions of the first andsecond frame members in a first configuration with the fishing rodspositioned in a substantially vertical position, and further wherein thefishing rod holder is supported on the support surface at the uprightportions of the first and second frame members in a secondconfiguration, wherein the fishing rods are positioned in asubstantially horizontal position in the second configuration.